FIELD GUIDE TO AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE

Fig. 1 Acetabularia species. This colony is growing on
a clam shell that is hidden in the photograph.
Note the discs on the top of the delicate stalks
that are drooping. The name means "little wine
cup". Very common in calm intertidal areas.

Fig. 2 Caulerpa species. It is dark green. Note the
roots projecting down from the runner and the
feather like fronds growing up from the runner.
The inch ruler at the bottom gives the scale.
Common in outer reef lagoon.

Fig. 3 Caulerea species. This is a different species
than in

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 Halimeda species showing the large holdfast at
the bottom. The name means "thinking of the sea"
If one picks up a handful of sand, Halimeda
plates will be predominate. Found in the outer
reef lagoon.

Fig. 5 Individual fragments and branches from Halimeda.

Fig. 6 Penicillus species growing on a shallow sand
bottom. Note the cup shaped tops with some sand
and mud in the bottoms of the cups (arrow).

Fig. 7 Penicillus species, showing the holdfast at the
bottom of the specimen.

Fig. 8 Udotea species showing the crenulated edges
(arrow). Green "fans" easily seen from the
piers.

Fig. 9 Avrainella, green and fanlike it is also easily
seen from the piers.

Fig. 10 Seaweed, Sargassum species. The arrows point to
the small, round flotation bladders
(pneumatophores). Growing on the reef, it is
also seasonally blown in in large masses from
the Sargassso Sea.